Saints and Sailors (Gar/Gavrill)

[Gar]

"Today is the day!" Gar sat in the mess hall, waiting for his orders. "We ain’t waitin no longer!" He looked around toward his comrades. Many had a bloodthirst which Gar didn’t quite agree with.. Gar would never assault a church if it were up to him. Unfortunately it didn't work out that way and Gar saw this as a problem that needed to be dealt with. They messed with us and our squad!. They deserve what’s coming. Gar wasn’t certain the enemy deserved all of what was coming for them. The coalition consisted of two, ragtag crews of pirates along with a band of mercenaries. There were even a few knights in their ranks. There were no captains or generals, no order. Gar recalled what the congregation had done to upset this many people.

“They’re killing our crew!” Gar remembered being told one day while at sea. They would sometimes leave their wounded crew mates in the care of the congregation. Every time they returned, the priests claimed the mates had died of their wounds. ”Those robes kill our wounded as they sleep and pocket what we paid them. And we aren’t the only ones who they’re screwing over!” Gar furrowed his brow as he returned to reality. This isn’t alright. How can they live with themselves? Killing injured people under the pretense of offering help; Disgusting.

"The coalition of pirates arrr moving out!" Three boats landed upon the shore. Gar took a step onto the sand. They will regret their deeds... Soon enough. Gar withdrew his axe and looked at his enemy’s base. A church stood tall atop a hill. Pirates began charging up the hill, screaming. Monks, soldiers and priests began to exit the church, preparing to defend themselves. The serene sight was about to turn chaotic.

[Gavriil]

"Hmm this does not bold well", spoke Gavrill as he walked down the road. News from the invasions filled the ears and eyes of most men of the church, but Gavrill had his own objectives. He never cared for Kraft and as a result he could careless about his invasions. Maybe once it was all over he could send people in to aid the people who suffered under the prophet hand, but at the moment it was nothing he could do. What did disturb him however was the information coming out about this church located near the sea. He heard tales about people dying in there care from one of his agents. The boy who reported to him told him that he was not sure if it was accidental or intentional so Gavrill decided he was going to have to check it out himself.

"So Director", spoke Marcus, his bodyguard. "What is the MO for this job."

"Simple", spoke Gavrill as he walked down the road. "I am not sure if they are killing people purposely or if there medical skills are poor. The information I have gathered suggested murder, but I have no hard proof. As a result I have deiced that we will simply investigate and teach them proper medical techniques. If people still die after that then we will deal with them."

"Sound easy enough", spoke the bodyguard as the duo approached the church. As they made there way to the door a clanking sound began to ring in the air. Gavrill and his young blade looked up to see priest and soldiers running around like chickens without heads.

"What is going on", spoke Gavrill. However the men where to busy arming themselves to say anything to him.

"Hey did you not hear the director", shouted Marcus. His commanding voice grabbed the attention of one of the monks.

"We are under attack", he shouted. His words raised a the eyebrow of the aged priest as he looked toward the shore. It seemed that his personal investigation came to late. Pirates had amassed on there shore and where looking to seek vengeance. Gavrill was still not sure if the killings where intentional or accident, but at the moment it did not matter. They had a raiding party to deal with.

[Gar]

Gar ascended the uphill path slowly. Pirates and mercenaries passed quickly by him, roaring their blood-thirst in curses and battle cries. The battle seemed to be more difficult than previously expected. As he saw the first combatants engage atop the hill, he withdrew his axe and picked up his pace. I didn't expect them to have this many foot soldiers. Perhaps We're in for a real battle, rather than a slaughter. Gar fell into line with a mercenary and a pirate flanking him. They ascended in sync while scanning the front lines to see any points of weakness. Gar saw that mainly soldiers were on the front lines, backed up by priests for support if they sustained injury. Some of the white robe wearers were carrying bright tomes and sending tendrils of light from their palms. Must be monks. Better make sure they don't catch me off guard.



Gar and the wave of attackers crashed upon the line of soldiers, slashing at their light armor. Gar had left a cut in a soldiers thigh before he was forced to retreat a few steps in order to avoid a lance thrust. Gar slipped momentarily on the loose sand and looked down the regain his footing. Luckily no enemy was close enough to take advantage of the misstep. They're lucky this battle isn't at sea. Gar resumed his engagement with the slowed soldier and came up victorious. The soldier however was not slowed, he was just as fast as before. Gar barely managed to dodge another lance thrust. He retaliated with a killing blow cut into the foe's ribcage dropping him to the ground. He scanned the leg that he had cut before and saw no wound, just an opening in his armor.Guess those healers got to him while I wasn't looking. This could be an annoying one. Gar grunted as he noticed the majority of the remaining soldiers falling back into the church.The front doors were being blocked by two knights clad in thick armor. "Well then, how ar' we to get past them?"



A pirate, older than gar stepped up and raised his weapon, a hammer. "This'll do tha trick!" Gar smirked "Aye, lead the way." The pirate charged at the knights blocking the entrance to the church. Gar followed, nearly deafened by the shouts of his fellow pirates. We can't get too reckless now. Certainly the real fight starts inside.

[Gavriil]

With the rush of the attack there was barely any time for the defenders to set up. However years of training and drills set in. The soldiers rushed forward to hold the front lines and the priest sat behind healing there wounds as needed. Following behind them in a atomic fashion the acolytes shot off there magic. It was almost like a miniature Eturia, perfectly orderly. Everyone knew there part and they executed it well. Even still the pirates where not easy pickings. Despite the fact that the defenders had taken up such a effective defense the attack of the sea raiders still came. Gavrill himself has to admit they where brave individuals to attack under these circumstances.

As the soldiers and pirates clashed Gavrill simply watched from the door step of the church. He wanted to join in and aid the defenders, but at the moment it was not applicable. Gavrill knew full well that they could not maintain a line here. They did not have enough boots and the system they set up would soon fall. "Fall back to the church", spoke Gavrill to the head priest as the coward of a man stood next to him. "Your soldiers won't be able to hold if you try to fight them in open field. Fall back to the church and take a defensive positions around it. The stone structure would give a far sturdier line and you can choose who gets attacked and who does not", spoke the priest.

"umm", spoke the man as he looked at Gavrill. The priest was not a member of his flock, nor did he really know the man. Still in this situation things where, well chaotic. He had no idea what to do, as this was his first real battle. Other men and women trained for war, but he simply trained to read scripture and heal people. However he was the one in charge as this was his temple. The man took a deep breath and then shouted out to all the defenders. "Fall back to the church", he shouted confirming what Gavrill said.

"Director", spoke Marcus as he turned to Gavrill. The man could already guess what the aged priest was about to do.

"Marcus direct the acolytes toward the roof and make sure there is no back door for the brigands to sneak into", spoke Gavrill. "Also keep a eye out for torches and fires. We don't want them burning down the church while we are still inside of it."

"I thought we where suppose to be observing, not fighting", spoke the man with some annoyance as he began to move to rally the acolytes. Marcus was under the impression that the priest and holy men here where guilty and that they where receiving there just reward. If it was up to him Gavrill would have simply retreated from the resident and simply watched it burn from a hill side. However Gavrill will be Gavrill. He has not found any guilt and as a result he must help them.

"Listen up I am taking command", spoke Gavrill as the priest and soldiers moved into the church. "Acolytes go through the back way and head up the stairs. I want you all on the roof. Take out anybody with any form of range attack first. Soldiers I want you all near the windows and a large group of you near the front door. If you get injured our tired move to your right once a opening shows itself. The next man step up and cover the hole. Priest, I want you all in the back providing support for those who are fighting. I want the bulk of you on the floor and one of you on the roof to help the range units." The old battle healer watched as people began to scramble and move into position. They where going to give the these raiders hell.

[Gar]

The attack was going swimmingly thus far. They had already forced the priests to hole up inside their church and had the known exits blocked. If they wanted to they could just set up camp and wait them out, but that wasn’t how the pirates were used to doing things. No one wanted to drag this encounter out. Most were simply out for blood and whatever treasure they could gain along the way. Gar and his squad approached the front door, preparing to engage the defenders there.”Gotta give ‘em credit. I expected them to be running around and fleeing for their lives by now. They’re better organized than I thought they’d be.”

“I ain’t given ‘em nothing but the sharp end o’ this axe.” A pirate said in response to Gar’s compliment of his enemy. Gar shrugged cracked his neck as he scanned the coalition of pirates in the field. Perhaps they're better organized than we are ourselves. No one’s in charge here after all. As they grew close they heard sounds of broken glass raining down from above.

Gar turned his head to see an empty window frame, one that once held a beautiful piece of stained glass. More crashes were heard from the sides of the building as rocks were being hurling into the temple. Ahh maybe some of the chaos from outside will disrupt their order inside. Not a surefire strategy, but low risk. Gar continued to analyze the actions of the pirates. Certainly there were pirates attempting to take down the back door. Shouts, curses and threats were being hurled at the temple and didn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. Anyone in their right mind would be intimidated, even downright scared of the bloodthirsty raiders.

Gar’s company was within range of the door. A battle cry and a charge brought the frontline into striking distance. With a tightened grip on his axe, Gar followed. He glimpsed a piece of shattered armor flying through the air. He continued to advance until his progress was stopped by the backs of his mates. Seems like the knight are doing their job, holding the door. We don’t have time to waste here. They could’ve sent up a raid warning and other soldiers could be on their way.

More grunting and clashing of weapons filled the air as Gar slid to the door’s side. From what he could see the line was staring to break through, not without casualties though. Heavy on the pirate’s side, significantly lighter for the corrupt priests. Gar spoke to revitalize the attackers. “Keep pushing! Remember what they did to our comrades!”

[Gar]

[OOC: Going to end the battle here to free Gar up. Hope that's okay.]

The pirates had pushed through and were pouring into the temple with vigor. Gar was swept up in the motion and entered the spacious room off balance. He scanned to room to see blood already being shed and priests cowering behind their guards. Gar regained his composure and took a breath. Man if someone told me I’d ever be raiding a church I would call them a liar. But look at me now. Gar shook his head and gripped his axe. He began moving forward through the pews before finding a foe to engage.

Armored knight tough but slow. Nothing I haven’t seen before. Gar closed the distance quick and swung at the knight’s center of mass. The axe screeched and left a shallow cut in the thick steel. Gar drew back before the knight could retaliate. The pirate knew the muffled sounds he heard coming from the knight’s helm were taunts. He felt the need to retort. “You think you’re a good fighter or something? Must be nice hiding in all that armor like a toddler behind his mommy. Har har.” Gar’s laugh was cut short as he was forced to dive away from the incoming lance thrust. He rolled into a line of pews and quickly stood to face the knight again. He took note of how little walking space the row had. More muffled sounds came from the man in the helm. Something along the lines of who’s running now?

Gar hatched a plan to take down the knight. “I’m standing right here! Getting kinda tired of waiting actually.” Gar smirked again as the knight slowly entered the row. That’s it come closer. Gar thought while baiting the knight closer. In a swift motion Gar placed a hand on the back of the bench in front of him and hopped onto its seat. He bolted to get behind the knight. The knight, realizing that he wouldn’t be able to turn to face Gar, thrusted his lance awkwardly at the pirate. The attack was off target but Gar deflected it regardless. He followed by placing one foot on the back of the bench. He leapt in the air in a flourish to bring his axe into the knight’s back, dropping him to the floor. Gar withdrew his axe and struck the knight again in the back of the head, to ensure his victory. Gar panted as he rose from the scene.

“Hmph. Show off.” Gar heard a mercenary say to him. Gar just chuckled and continued unhindered toward the church altar. Gar kicked the podium to the floor. “These people are murderers with no right to claim to be holy! This church will burn for their crimes!” A rallying cry ensued as torches and pitch were thrown across the floor. As the fires began to catch, Gar retreated out the entrance. Every pirate who was still mobile retreated in the same fashion.

The coalition had completed their job and descended down the hillside to their boats. Gar entered a ship and began rowing back to the main boats. He looked over his shoulder to see a large number of people escaping the building from a back door. O well At least the so called priests won’t have a base to operate their schemes in any longer. He also took note of a large number of soldiers pursuing the pirates down the hillside. Etruria’s banner flying prominently, bathed in the light of the burning church.

“May have made ourselves an enemy. Har har. We oughtta head back to the isles and lie low.”
“Aye, aye”
[/End thread]